WAVE and Z-WAVE Oxygen Permeable Lenses!
No two fingerprints are identical and
the same is true for your eyes,
especially the cornea (the clear tissue
that a contact lens sits upon). Each
cornea has its own distinct shape and
texture, just like a fingerprint. So it
makes sense that a contact lens
should mirror the cornea.
Wave Contact Lenses are computer designed (patent pending) and manufactured for custom fitting to each patient's cornea. Just as no two corneas are alike, no two Wave lenses are alike. Wave lenses are very comfortable and offer excellent vision. These lenses are custom made, never taken "off the shelf" and completely reproducible if replacements are needed.
How do Wave Lenses differ from other RGP lenses?
To begin, doctors must have specialized training to offer Wave lenses. Next a sophisticated video corneal mapping camera creates a color topographical map of your cornea. Thousands of discrete points of elevation data are sent from the map to Wave CAD-CAM Software (computer assisted design-computer assisted manufacture) which the doctors uses to design a contact lens specifically for your cornea. The design is sent electronically to the laboratory's lathe for manufacturing.
How do the differences help me?
Perhaps a waver users says it best, "I was especially pleased that the WAVE measuring system is non-contact, that I did not need to endure wearing "trial lenses" for my OD to evaluate the fit, and that my eyes did not need to be dilated for the measurement. I also was pleased that the first pair fit so very comfortably. This saved me a great deal of time by avoiding additional trips."
Why are Wave Lenses more comfortable?
It's quite simple, they fit better! The curve of the lens changes every 10 microns to closely match the natural contour of your cornea. The closer the fit, the greater the comfort. (For example, "soft" lenses are comfortable because they closely fit the cornea, not because they are "soft".) Wave users consistently remark about the higher level of comfort and visual crispness of our lenses.
Typical RGP lenses do not follow the exact shape of the cornea, especially out in the periphery (round insert). A poor peripheral fit can result in blink discomfort.
Wave lenses know exactly how the central and peripheral cornea are shaped. The fit follows the shape leading to a better, more comfortable lens.
Why do Wave Lenses give better vision?
It's a combination of reasons but first and foremost, the better fit keeps the lenses positioned perfectly. Secondly the optical characteristics of each lens is designed to match the physical characteristics of your eye and position of your pupil. Many Wave users report their vision is crisper that with their previously worn RGP lenses or soft lenses.
What types of Wave Lenses are available?
Wave lenses can fill all types of contact lens needs. Multifocal (sometimes called bifocal) lens correct for your distance, near (reading) and in-between vision. Single vision lenses are for those who still do not require reading glasses. Toric Wave lens can are fit eyes with astigmatism. OrthoK (orthokeratology) lenses are specially designed lenses used to temporarily reshape your cornea so that your distance vision remains corrected after the lenses are removed. The same type of lens is used for refractive surgery patients who are unhappy with their laser results.
Z-Wave is a contact lens CAD/CAM (computer aided design, computer aided manufacture) system intended to aid the physician in addressing the vision problems associated with corneal irregularities. Z-Wave is comprised of the following: a corneal topographer, a computer with very sophisticated processing software, an advanced contact lens software design program, a state-of-the-art computer controlled manufacturing lathe, and a physician that is trained and experienced in traditional rigid contact lens fitting as well as the integration and application of the above mentioned constituents. Since computers and technology continue to advance very rapidly, Z-Wave is also a work in progress that continues to improve.
Z-Wave is intended to address corneal irregularities. These irregularities can be from a variety of causes. Among the causes leading to these corneal irregularities, are many of the refractive surgery procedures, i.e. RK, LASIK, etc. People who have had a refractive surgery procedure may now be dealing with many different types of visual distortions. The symptoms can be blur, glare, multiple images, poor contrast, halos, starbursts, etc. Another source of these irregularities can be corneal transplants, which will also result in very distorted vision. Trauma or infections can sometimes leave scars in the cornea also causing these irregularities. Certain degenerative conditions such as Keratoconus or Pellucid Marginal Degeneration can cause very poor vision due to the unusual shape that the cornea assumes. All of these types of corneal conditions have traditionally been the most difficult group of conditions to properly restore 'functional normal' vision. Individuals who suffer with any of the aforementioned conditions would find the most benefit in Z-Wave.
For the first time optical correction can be given to these very distorted corneas thus restoring good, clear, functional vision, to the individual. Using this type of tool is a revolutionary approach to manage these very unique problems. Instead of attempting to fit these very irregular corneas into contact lenses of preconceived designs and shapes, we are now instead, starting with your eye, and letting it be the guide to the design and manufacture process. This is the first time in history that we have the technological foundation allowing this type of precision design and manufacture.
The Z-Wave process starts with corneal topography. With topography, a digital "mold" is created of your unique eye. This is not a physical mold but rather a digital representation of your corneal shape summarized into a computer modeling system. With this "mold," the physician can use Z-Wave to design and manufacture the back surface of a contact lens that not only is rotationally asymmetrical, but can in fact follow the exact and unique contour of your cornea. The capability to design and manufacture rotationally asymmetrical lenses is a quantum leap forward for contact lenses. Since your eye was the guide, the resulting one-of-a-kind contact lens will now fit very well and therefore be comfortable, stable and healthy. Through the use of complex calculations, the "proper neutralizing prescription" can then be made onto the front surface of the contact lens thus providing clear vision. This manufactured contact lens is a unique and specific customized product for your eye. Prior to its manufacture, this specific lens has never existed before nor will it ever exist again unless an exact duplicate were required for your eye.
Call us today for your personal consultation to see how contact lenses can change your life!